This was my mistake. I don't think I realised that this was a follow up to What Moves The Dead when I applied for an ARC and really did not enjoy that book. I found this one a bit boring but it was fine overall, it didn't do anything wrong, if you like T Kingfishers writing and enjoyed the first book, you'll probably enjoy this.

This was a fun follow up to 'What Moves the Dead' and it was great to be back with Alex, Angus and Miss Potter. I thought the exploration of PTSD was done well as Alex struggled with memories of the war and I also thought it was interesting to see them in their native land. I thought the plot was solid, albeit a little basic in parts and the pacing was generally good, although I do think that there was a lot of setup without a great deal of pay off. Overall, I enjoyed this one but primarily for being back with the characters and not for the story alone.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What Feasts at Night follows the themes and characters from What Moves the Dead. It is a separate story, but the plot of the first novella is often referred to, so it makes sense to read What Moves the Dead first. This time, the characters travel to Easton’s homeland, where they deal with prejudice and local folklore. Once again, I found myself spellbound by the atmosphere. I definitely will reach for more books by this author.

Another amazing book from T. Kingfisher. This sequel is just as eerie as the first and delves into the uncomfortable world of unusual things once again. A must read for fans of anything weird and uncanny.

Really enjoyed this. Nice short creepy read. I listened to the previous book before this and it flowed perfectly although it could have been read alone.

Why are we only allowed to leave 5 stars? This needs MORE! So for the record; I give it 10 + stars. (Don't make me fight you.)

T. Kingfisher is a true master storyteller. She captivates me like so few authors today even bother trying. The story is engaging, exciting, fascinating, creepy, and thrilling.

This is the second Alex Easton novel, which follows up the amazing "What Moves the Dead" After their terrifying ordeal at the Usher manor, Alex Easton feels as if they just survived another war. All they crave is rest, routine, and sunshine, but instead, they find themself heading to their family hunting lodge, deep in the cold, damp forests of their home country, Gallacia.

In theory, one can find relaxation in even the coldest and dampest of Gallacian autumns, but when Easton arrives, they find the caretaker dead, the lodge in disarray, and the grounds troubled by a strange, uncanny silence. The villagers whisper that a breath-stealing monster from folklore has taken up residence in Easton’s home. Easton knows better than to put too much stock in local superstitions, but they can tell that something is not quite right in their home. . . or in their dreams.

Such a simple description of an unbelievable story of local folklore coming to life.

T. Kingfisher has a strong ability to create a gothic atmosphere that is so realistic you can feel the dampness of the fog, and smell the stench of the stables. The protagonist, Alex Easton is a well-developed, diverse character that you care about. (I admit I get very attached to fictional characters when they are well-written and I am currently in love with Easton.)

Gallacia is also a very progressive little village that seems to find gender not important in the paths one takes. Survival and taking care of yours and Gallacia is what matters. The simple acceptance of no traditional pronouns and Easton theirself is refreshing and a non-subject.

This is not a traditional horror novel. The deaths are not gruesome or very bloody. The terror comes from the mind, the belief that talees told for generations are true and can hurt or kill. I'm not much of a fantasy reader but I love this series.

I had both the book and the audio. I have read where some do not like the narrator, Avi Roque, but I disagree. The voice is perfect for Alex and the other characters are done well. I personally enjoyed listening to this story as much as I did reading it.

I recommend this. This was published by Titan Books and McMillian Audio on February, 13, 2024.

Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

What Feasts at Night is skilful alternate history from the events of the Bulgarian War in the Napoleonic era combined with dark folklore and queer fiction to envisage a dark fantasy world that T. Kingfisher does superbly. A novella full of unique and compelling characters tackling the effects of ‘Soldier’s Heart’ or PTSD from the carnage of the wintry battlefields. Kingfisher crafts a mysterious gothic story that meets the psychological horror sub genre. The protagonist and host of characters are haunted by the mysterious Moroi also known as the Nightmare, or the Hag, a ghost that steals the breath from the living. This deadly folkloric creature forces the protagonist, Easton to confront their own mortality: not on the battlefield this time but alone in their dreams.

A spellbinding novella where dark fantasy, feminism and alternate history are boldly portrayed while adhering to and breaking, the expected social norms of a Napoleonic society.

Kingfisher writes with such lyrical and emotive ease the reader is compelled onwards as though they too are caught in the dark magic of the Moroi. A meticulously crafted story with complex world-building where folklore and history weave together in a new version of Napoleonic history.

Conclusion

A highly recommend dark fantasy read. The perfect addition to the alternate history genre and for fans of T. Kingfisher’s other works and folklore-infused dark fantasy with strong gothic horror elements. For fans who enjoy cleverly designed storytelling and complex characters where societal expectations are openly challenged and subverted. Stunning and haunting: A must-add to your to-read list!

** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **

An interesting idea but not as good as the first book. I enjoyed this short and quick to read follow up to What Moves the Dead. The books follow the same main character but focus on different horror mysteries and so can be read as standalone. I liked the horror elements but overall the book fell a little short for me. I've read other books by this author and would recommend them.

I had a tough time with the first book in this series, and the second installment wasn't any different, especially in terms of pacing. However, I observed that "What Feast at Night" is more atmospheric, with mysterious elements that complement the story well. Of course, T. Kingfisher also didn't disappoint with the chilling aspect. I'm slowly becoming fond of Easton and can't wait to read more of their adventures.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for this ARC! Another hit from T. Kingfisher!

Although this is a sequel I think you could read this as a standalone (although I definitely recommend the first one!) but the first one does provide some more background on the culture surrounding sworn soldiers and Gallacia. The two books go hand in hand nicely. This one was slightly different in the sense that the horror aspect didn’t involve the natural world directly but there is still a large focus on nature. This is what I love about this authors work specifically. That and T. Kingfisher writes fantastic horror imagery and never fails to creep me out.

There’s a lot of humour in this as there is in her other books and it always hits the spot for me because it’s so dry and sarcastic. I also like that it doesn’t take away from the horror at all, it’s just some added comic relief. I really like the character of Alex Easton and I hope to see more novels featuring kan (I hope I got that right) in the future!

I recommend this to anyone who loves nature, horror surrounding folklore and learning about mushrooms. It was released on 13th February so it’s available now!

This sequel to "What Moves the Dead" presents a gripping and atmospheric tale that expertly blends elements of horror and folklore. Alex Easton's return to Gallacia unfolds into a chilling narrative, where the silence and mysteries of their home country quickly spiral into a haunting exploration of the unknown.

The strength of the story lies not just in its horror elements but in how it captures the protagonist's practical mindset clashing with the inexplicable phenomena, creating a compelling tension that drives the narrative. The book does an excellent job of building suspense and a sense of dread, with vivid nightmares and strange occurrences that keep both Alex Easton and the readers on edge.

Overall, this standalone sequel is a masterful continuation that not only pays homage to its predecessor but also carves out its own unique identity with its haunting atmosphere, complex character dynamics, and a well-crafted blend of folklore and horror. It's a must-read for fans of the genre and those who appreciate stories that delve into the depths of local legends and the human psyche's darker corners.

We are back in Gallacia with our favourite soldier, this time Alex Easton has to deal with a creature from Gallacian folklore. Returning home, Alex finds their caretaker dead, and whispers amongst the locals about what caused his death. T. Kingfisher returns with her fantastic blend of fantasy horror, in this sequel that can be read as a standalone.

Sequel to What Moves the Dead, that benefits from the characters already being established. Alex Easton is returning home, with faithful (and gruff) companion Angus in tow. Finding the family lodge abandoned, and very hostile locals shunning the area. This time around the author is playing with old myths rather than classic horror (book one was a reworking of Fall of the House of Usher). Presonally, I slightly preferred this volume to book one, but only because What Moves the Dead does the hard work in establishing the characters. A great read, but make sure you read book one first.

T. Kingfisher never misses! The follow up novella to What Moves the Dead is a gorgeous standalone story filled with spooky atmosphere, ghostly apparitions, and Kingfisher's signature humour. She's one of my favourite writers and What Feasts at Night is no exception.

3.5/5.0

T. Kingfisher remains one of my auto read authors however after absolutely devouring "What moves the dead" I was unfortunately left a little disappointed with this sequel. The delightfully creepy and gothic atmosphere remains but I felt the characters were not explored anywhere near as much as in the first book.

T. Kingfisher is one of those authors who when I see their name on a book I pick it up without even reading what the book is about. I've found their writing to be incredibly intricate and unsettling, and they've created some of my favourite horror novels of the last few years. When I began reading What Feasts At Night I was a bit surprised, as it was a sequel to their previous book, What Moves the Dead. Having not really been used to Kingfisher making follow-ups, and with that book having felt like a definitive ending I was surprised to see a sequel to it; but it was absolutely a pleasant surprise.

Alex Easton, the lead character from the previous volume, returns for another creepy tale, as they return to their homeland following the disturbing events at the House of Usher. Having decided that some down time is much needed, they, along with a group of side characters that we met previously, head to a remote hunting lodge in the woods for some rest and relaxation. However, when the group arrive the lodge is found in a state of disarray, and the caretaker dead.

Much like the first book, the setting of What Feasts at Night is a big part of the story, and almost a character unto itself. Kingfisher crafts some truly creepy and vividly imagined places for Alex and the other characters, including Miss Potter, Angus, and Hob, find themselves in. Even when nothing much is really happening the settings worm their way under your skin and put you ill at ease, and Kingfisher is perhaps at her best when taking an ordinary location and making it into something horrific.

Kingfisher takes some elements from folklore for the book, and manages to create a truly unsettling adversary for Alex to deal with in the form of the moroi, a ghostly, frightening woman who can come in the night and sucks your breath away from you when you're sleeping. The fact that Alex is so against believing this at the start of the book, considering what they went through in the first one, is a bit surprising, but I guess an infectious fungus is a bit of a jump away from a ghostly woman from legend, but eventually the group have to face the lurking horrors and bring it to a stop.

But, the book isn't just horror all the time, and there's some genuine moments of humour and joy to be found scattered throughout, especially when it comes to Alex interacting with the other characters. Alex and Angus make for a great double act, and Miss Potter injects some sublime moments that make it clear why these characters were chosen to make a return alongside Alex.

Whilst What Feasts at Night is only a short book it's a very good one. Kingfisher knows how best to use the relatively short page count and really packs things with character moments, story, and sublime atmosphere. The biggest problem with the book being so short is that it's over a lot quicker than you'd want, and if you're like me you'll probably end up reading the entire thing in a single sitting. However, with both of the entries in the series so far being shorter books it hopefully means that we won't have to wait long for the next one.

I don't think it's possible for me to have a bad time with a T. Kingfisher book at this point, but I don't think this is as good as What Moves the Dead. I did like the way the story explores the impact of war on soldiers, and I still really like Alex as a character, but Alex was meandering a lot more in this book. The horror elements didn't really start until I was more than halfway through, and that part was a lot more fun to me compared to the beginning.

I do have a massive soft spot for Alex and Angus, though.

I loved What Moves the Dead since it was inspired by The Fall of the House of Usher and of course there was the added element of fungi. So when I learned there was a new Sworn Soldier novella I was very excited. This most definitely can be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading the first one to fully appreciate Alex Easton.


In What Feasts at Night we are back with Alex and Angus who journey to an old hunting lodge now owned by Alex. Soon they are joined by Miss Potter (who I adore as a character and because she is a Mycologist). Slowly we begin to learn that things are not right. The locals are of no help and it is only due to someone being in dire straights they get an housekeeper. Safe to say it has a lot of elements of the Victorian gothic tales.


As you can expect from Kingfisher the prose is beautiful and haunting. I particularly liked the pacing, but I am a fan of Victorian ghost and horror stories which share a similar slow reveal and pace. it may not be for everyone but I personally liked it. I also adored the use of old folklore, no spoilers on what though.
The other thing I loved are the characters. Of course my love of Miss Potter is already know but I liked seeing Alex and particularly their ‘Soldier’s Heart’ or PTSD and how they deal with that alongside the mystery they find themselves a part of.


This is a brilliant sequel and will be perfect for fans of Kingfisher but also old style gothic horror and of course fungi! There is a good mix here, yes the pace is slower but I think it works for the plot and genre.

Strengths -
• Writing
• Atmosphere

Weaknesses -
• Plot
• Pacing

My thoughts -

🍄 I loved What Moves the Dead, so you can only imagine how happy I was to receive a Netgalley ARC of the second in the Sworn Soldier series.

🌚 T. Kingfisher does creepy really well, and I loved learning about some folklore in this book, but unfortunately, this story wasn't as exciting or as addictive as the first. For as short as it was, I struggled to get through it. It would keep picking up for a couple of pages, and then it would drop and get boring again rather quickly.

❤️ What Moves the Dead is definitely worth the read, but I think it could have been left there. I actually think this story could have been done better if it wasn't a part of this series, and we followed a different cast of characters.

✍️ With all that said, I'm a big fan of Kingfisher’s writing, and I'm looking forward to reading more by her.

https://lynns-books.com/2024/02/13/what-moves-the-dead-what-feasts-at-night-sworn-soldier-books-1-and-2-by-t-kingfisher/
3.5 of 5 stars
I was actually very pleasantly surprised to discover that the author had a sequel planned bringing back to us the character Alex Easton and his companion Angus.

This time the two are journeying to an old hunting lodge, once part of the larger family estate but now owned by Alex. They have invited Ms Potter from the first story who is keen to continue her study of fungi and explore the surrounding woods.

When the two arrive at the hunting lodge something is immediately not right. The woods are spookily quiet, no natural noises of critters and birds, the lodge is unattended and has clearly been empty for some weeks, the place in disarray. Upon investigation it seems that the old caretaker has passed away in unusual circumstances. The nearby villagers are all acting cagey and close lipped and the two barely manage to secure a housekeeper to help them cook and clean – a woman who only agrees out of desperation.

This is a story based in old folklore and in particular involving a Moroi. A type of ghost that leaves the grave to feed off the dead – in this case by stealing the breath from its victims.

Okay, I liked this story – but – and you knew there was a but coming. It feels a little as though it lacks direction. It almost feels like it wants to go in two directions. Firstly, we take a much stronger look at Alex and the PTSD caused by warfare and then we have the story of the Moroi. I think what surprised me was Alex’s resistance to the Moroi – given the previous experiences I think a bit more open mindedness could have been expected. And, although I enjoyed the deeper character study I felt like it give the story a much slower pacing. That being said I like Alex’s no nonsense style, I love the sense of humour, I enjoyed the return of Ms Potter although she doesn’t really get a chance to shine here – the new housekeeper instead seems to take that role this time and is a perfect foil for Alex, constantly chatting to herself in pretend whispers – addressing the ceiling and muttering about ‘wastrels in general.

As you can see, I enjoyed much about this story, but at the same time it left me feeling a little perplexed. The writing is good. I enjoyed returning to this world and although this might not be my favourite instalment of the Sworn Soldier series I heartily hope that we return to this world and these characters – I think there is so much scope here.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

My rating 3.5 of 5 stars

Also – I have to give a shout out to both of the covers – they are absolutely superb.